Pool stroke training tool and method of use

ABSTRACT

A pool stroke training tool comprising: an elongated body, where said elongated body extends between a first end and a second end; a base along a bottom portion of said elongated body, where said base is wider than an upper portion of said elongated body; a spacer attached above said elongated body, where said spacer extends the length of said elongated body; and a slide bar attached at top of the spacer. In one particular embodiment, the pool stroke-training tool may include indentations along the length of the elongated body and along the base. Felt may be used as a cover for the slide bar. In another exemplary embodiment, the slide bar includes a first rise at a first height and a second rise at a second height.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/421,698 filed on Dec. 10, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a learning tool to teach a user how to align and strike a cue ball with proper form and balance.

2. Description of Related Art

Pool is played by a wide number of people. Most individuals enjoy playing pool because it is generally a simple sport to start playing by merely striking a cue stick to a cue ball. The challenge comes when people want to play well. Pool is a challenging sport to excel at because of all the technical aspects involved. The player must concentrate on the speed of their stroke, the balance of their cue stick on their support hand, the angle of stroke, the strike location on the cue ball and the trajectory of the cue ball on the pool table. With a lot of training and practice individuals are able to be talented and master the fine sport.

Some people use training tools and instructors to help them learn to play well. The training tools may help with balance and angles to help the person strike the cue ball. Alternatively, the instructors are useful because they are able to provide feedback and suggestions to the player to that they can immediately correct and practice their form.

One of the tools developed to teach how to play pool is U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,849 by Louis D. Pierce, which discloses a billiard training apparatus. The billiard training apparatus includes an apparatus which stands vertically on top of the playing table. The apparatus includes a set of discs each with a hole positioned at different locations on the individual discs. The apparatus teaches the user the various areas to strike a cue ball and learn the consequential results.

Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,495 by Joseph R. Moughler discloses a billiard hand bridge wherein an apparatus comprising a solid piece with a set of grooves cut along the top portion. The grooves provide a guide for the cue stick when the player strikes the cue ball.

While both of these tools guide and train a player for pool, the player does not learn specifically how to position or strike the ball. It would be beneficial in the art to provide a cue stick training tool that teaches a player the proper form for play while still allowing for mistakes so that the player can learn what went wrong. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a tool that is easy to use, simple to adjust and does not damage the surface of the pool table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pool stroke training tool comprising: an elongated body, where said elongated body extends between a first end and a second end; a base along a bottom portion of said elongated body, where said base is wider than an upper portion of said elongated body; a spacer attached above said elongated body, where said spacer extends the length of said elongated body; and a slide bar attached at top of the spacer. In one particular embodiment, the pool stroke-training tool may include indentations along the length of the elongated body and along the base. Felt may be used as a cover for the slide bar. In another exemplary embodiment, the slide bar includes a first rise at a first height and a second rise at a second height.

The present invention further includes a method of using the pool stroke training tool including the steps of grasping the tool with a first hand and grasping a cue stick with a second hand. The user then places the tool behind a cue ball on a surface of a pool table. The user positions the cue stick on the slide bar of the tool and pivots the tool to adjust the height of the slide bar. The height adjustment enables various spins on the cue ball after striking The user controls the movement the cue stick with one hand, so after placement on the slide bar the user aligns the cue stick with the object cue ball and strikes into play on the surface of the pool table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a pool stroke training tool in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a pool stroke training tool in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a pool stroke-training tool in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a training tool to teach a user how to properly slide and strike a cue ball while playing pool. The present invention discloses a pool stroke-training tool to develop proper muscle memory and stroke habits. The pool stroke-training tool includes a heavy piece of granite with a rounded top to enable the player to easily slide a cue stick on the top portion to strike the cue ball. Essentially, the pool stroke-training tool takes away the stability of the player's bridge hand, to force the player to become dependent on their stroking arm. The player must concentrate and analyze how they align, slide and strike the cue ball all with a single hand. If the player uses improper stroke movement, then the cue stick slides along the top of the pool stroke-training tool thus resulting in a missed shot. The player may self diagnose the error, self prescribe a solution to the error, and then employ the new stroke technique repeatedly with the newly learned proper stroke technique.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a pool stroke-training tool (10) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The pool stroke-training tool (10) may include an elongated body (14) extending between a pair of ends (18 a, 18 b). The elongated body (14) comprises a generally, long, trapezoidal shape. Along a bottom portion of the elongated body (14) is a base (16), and along an upper portion is a spacer (20). The base (16) is wider than the spacer (20) to give the elongated body (14) a more stable foundation. The elongated body (14) may be made from wood, steel, marble, brass or a generally dense material. The material of the elongated body (14) is smooth and polished to prevent snagging or scratching on the felt covering of the pool table.

In one particular embodiment, the sides along the length of the body (14) may include indentations for griping purposes. Further the base (16) may further include an indentation along the length thereof. FIG. 3 provides a view of the tool (10) with the indentations (14 a), (16 a) as described. Although a single indentation (14 a) is shown, a similar indentation may be included on the opposite side of the base (16). A user may use the indentations as finger grips to adjust the height of the tool (10) during a use thereof.

Above the spacer (20) and the elongated body (14) is a slide bar (12). The slide bar (12) and the spacer (20) extend the entire length of the elongated body (14). The slide bar (12) has a rounded top with a flat bottom that rests atop the spacer (20). The slide bar (12) may be covered with a layer of felt (22) to create a smooth and easy sliding surface. The layer of felt (22) may include a sticky backing so that it is removable to enable the user to exchange the layer of felt (22) after extended use. The felt (22) may include various color patterns in one particular embodiment the color may coordinate with any felt used on the pool table for a customized look. Beneath the slide bar (12), the spacer (20) may be made from brass, steel, plastic or the like, and may be available in a range of thicknesses. The spacer (20) may be interchangeable and vary in thicknesses to enable the raising and lowering of the height of the slide bar (12), therefore varying the overall height of the pool stroke training tool (10). The top surface of the spacer (20) is substantially curved and rounded.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a pool stroke training tool (100) is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The pool stroke training tool (100) includes an elongated body (104), a base (106) and a spacer (108) formed in similar fashion as the first embodiment. Alternatively, the pool stroke training tool (100) includes a slide bar (102) with a top surface that includes two different heights, a first rise (110 a) and a second rise (110 b). The first rise (110 a) and the second rise (110 b) enable the user to practice immediately with two different heights without having to change or manipulate the spacer (108) for variance. The first rise (110 a) and the second rise (110 b) are covered with coordinating layers of felt; a first layer of felt (112 a) to cover the first rise (110 a) and a second layer of felt (112 b) to cover the second rise (110 b). The first layer of felt (112 a) and the second layer of felt (112 b) include a sticky backing so that they may be easily exchanged after wear. With the dual rises, the user may practice their form and technique using two different heights to improve their pool playing game.

During use, a user first places the pool stroke training tool (10, 100) behind a cue ball with the elongated body (14, 104) lying perpendicular to the cue ball, wherein the cue ball rests between the sides (18 a, 18 b) of the elongated body (14, 104). Next, the user places their cue stick on top of the slide bar (12, 102). The user adjusts the cue tip to line up with the cue ball. Next, the user slides the cue stick back along the slide bar (12, 102) and then forward to strike the cue ball with the tip. The pool stroke-training tool (10, 100) helps to improve the user's form when striking the cue ball and may help to improve the user's overall playing ability.

When a user is utilizing the training tool according to the present invention the user must control the lateral movement of the stick with one hand, a striking hand, which is gripping the cue stick. The user utilizes their other hand to control the height of the slide bar when striking the cue ball. Although either embodiment disclosed above may be utilized, the tool is placed upon one side of the elongated body (14). For descriptive purposes the embodiment of FIG. (3) will be utilized, where indentation (14 a) is used in conjunction with the indentation (16 a) as gripping points to adjust the height of the slide bar (12). The slide bar therefore may be rotated to the proper height for striking the cue ball. Height adjustment of the slide bar is especially important when applying various types of English or striking adjustments to the cue ball as normally done by a pool player. Once the positioning of the spacer is set, the user places the cue stick over the spacer and then strikes the cue ball.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A pool stroke training tool comprising: a. an elongated body, where said elongated body extends between a first end and a second end; b. a base along a bottom portion of said elongated body, where said base is wider than an upper portion of said elongated body; c. a spacer attached above said elongated body, where said spacer extends the length of said elongated body; and d. a slide bar attached at top of the spacer.
 2. The pool stroke-training tool according to claim 1, further comprising indentations along the length of the elongated body.
 3. The pool stroke-training tool according to claim 1, where felt provides a cover for the slide bar.
 4. The pool stroke-training tool according to claim 1, where the slide bar includes a first rise at a first height and a second rise at a second height.
 5. The pool stroke-training tool according to claim 1, where the base includes an indentation along the length thereof.
 6. A method of pool stroke training comprising the steps of: a. using a training tool, where said training tool includes i. an elongated body, where said elongated body extends between a first end and a second end; ii. a base along a bottom portion of said elongated body, where said base is wider than an upper portion of said elongated body; iii. a spacer attached above said elongated body, where said spacer extends the length of said elongated body; and iv. a slide bar attached at top of the spacer. b. gripping the training tool with a first hand; c. gripping a cue stick with a second hand; d. placing the training tool on a surface of a pool table behind a cue ball; e. placing the cue stick on the slide bar; f. pivoting the training the tool to adjust the height of the slide bar; g. aligning a striking tip of the cue stick with the cue ball; and h. striking the cue in play on the surface of the pool table. 